Today (March 15, 2021) is my fourth anniversary of joining Avon. (At least this time - I also sold for a minute back in the 1980s.)
Sorry for the not-so-great pic - I took my 87-year-old mom to get her COVID vaccine on Saturday and we celebrated with PF Chang's. I was just getting over a head cold and didn't give much attention to my hair and makeup as we were just going to get her shot.
Anyway, I digress.
I wanted to talk a little bit about my journey with Avon. I decided to come back to the brand shortly before I retired from my job in higher education administration, just for something to do and to earn a little extra money. I said I would give it a year and see how it goes.
What I didn't expect was to make President's Club - that's $10,000 in sales (by a hair, but still...) - and to start building a team in that first year.
I hadn't even thought about recruiting; I was just going to do a little selling and get my beloved Avon products at a discount. But shortly after I signed up, Avon offered an incentive that involved recruiting. And I'm a girl who loves a challenge. I had two organic recruits (a cousin and a friend who signed up without being asked), and I needed three to qualify for "nesters" (representatives without an upline who would be placed on the teams of those who met their goal). I found another friend to join in just the nick of time, and I was blessed with 13 nesters as a result of my efforts. Suddenly, I had a team of 16!
Well, I was liking those small leadership checks I was getting, so this die-hard introvert started thinking about recruiting more people. No, I don't approach strangers in parking lots, and I won't cold-call people because I hate phone calls and would not subject anyone else to them. But I do have a Facebook page for my business, and a Pinterest account. And if I'm talking with someone and it comes up in conversation, I'm quite comfortable talking about the opportunity. I also had some very nice and professional-looking recruiting flyers printed up that I can hand out or mail to people who might be interested in earning some extra money.
I started picking up new customers here and there, mostly through word of mouth, but also from Facebook, Google, and from leaving brochures everywhere I went - doctor's office waiting rooms, car dealership waiting rooms, laundromat, etc. I had a vinyl decal made for the rear window of my vehicle that includes my website and phone number, and I bought a little basket with a hook at the dollar store that I hang from my rear wiper with brochures in whenever I go somewhere. I place my business cards on every bulletin board I run across, and leave them with every server at every restaurant, along with their tip, a recruiting flyer and a sample in little zipper bags. I'm always thinking marketing and coming up with new ideas to try.
In my second year, I made President's Club again and earned the leadership title of Silver Ambassador ($2,000 in team sales per campaign). In my third year (2020), during the pandemic, I made Honor Society ($20,000 in personal sales) and reached Gold Ambassador ($4,000 in team sales).
My business has continued to grow at a slow and steady pace, which is alright with me. I have team members from all parts of the country. I have earned countless incentives, from free products and gift cards to free vacations to Jamaica (which was sadly cancelled) and Dominican Republic (happening this fall). Currently I'm striving to earn that trip to the Big Island, Hawaii (see my previous post). My old job never did anything like that!
I have attended Avon conventions in Nashville, Columbus, and New Orleans. What fun and exciting times those were! Lots of learning and networking, exploring the cities with friends, plus free live concerts and parties! Last year's convention had to go virtual due to the pandemic, but Avon did a bang-up job of making it fun with lots of prize giveaways and a full weekend of online training classes.
But the VERY BEST part of being an Avon Representative is the sisterhood (and brotherhood) that comes with it! I've made so many new friends through this business - both customers and other Representatives. And not only Representatives on my team, but also ones I've met at convention or even through Facebook that I've become close with. Avon is a family; a community of love and support. It's truly amazing. I can honestly say that most of the folks I interact with are people I have met through this business. This pic shows five generations of Avon Representatives - me on the right, with my "mom" Gena, "great-grandma" Lori, "grandma" Teena, and my "daughter" Chris in the lower corner. Chris and I actually went to high school together, and Gena and I worked together at the university.
Seriously, If I had retired four years ago and not joined Avon, I don't know where I would be right now. Most of my friends from my old job have also retired or left the university, and we don't get together as often as we used to (even before the pandemic). I think I would be a sad old crazy cat lady, almost never leaving my house. Okay, I'm still an old crazy cat lady, but I'm not sad and my days are filled. Even if I don't leave the house, I'm working my business on the computer. And I can do as much or as little as I feel like on any given day.
One of my goals for this year is of course to earn that trip to Hawaii, which I will have to sell about $33,000 for. If I make it, I'll be really close to making Rose Circle ($35,000), so why not just go for that too? That will increase my commission from 40% to 45% on Beauty & Jewelry, so that's pretty enticing.
Another goal is to achieve Bronze Leader status, which is $8,000 in team sales. My team continues to grow, so I think this is doable. It's a stretch for sure, but we got this! A few of my team members are interested in becoming leaders as well, and I am all about encouraging them to shoot for the stars. If an introvert like me can come this far in four years, anyone can achieve their dreams!
Are you interested in joining Avon? It's FREE for a limited time! There's no obligation, and you will begin earning immediately. With the Pathway to Premier Program, you can earn up to $3,300 in commissions and bonuses by achieving your sales targets in your first eight campaigns. And not only that, but you can score up to 285 FREE lip balms for achieving too!
Want more information on Pathway to Premier? Check it out here!
Have questions? Message me here or send an email to pammy.murphy@gmail.com.
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